'Romneycare' lessons not promising

In 2006 Massachusetts passed a health care bill (AKA "Romneycare"), which later became the model for the nation's Affordable Care Act (AKA "Obamacare"). After seven years the official reports of the progress of "Romneycare" in the state give a clearer view of where we are headed.

The average annual cost per capita for health care in Massachusetts is now $9,278 - note per capita means every man. woman and child - compared to a national average of $6,815 (or 36 percent higher). It should be noted that 94 percent of the state's population is now insured in some way. That is a good thing.

As "Obamacare" is implemented in New Jersey, we can expect health care costs to increase in a similar fashion.

Pop Quiz: When costs rise who will pay for the increase?

Your choices are: patients, insurers, employers, or taxpayers. Answer: All of the above, with emphasis on the last two categories.

Other factors noted in the reports are that price controls and rationing are coming on the scene. Because many doctors have dropped out of the system, the lead time to see a doctor has lengthened from 55 days to 128 days. This has led to a policy of asking patients to consult a nurse practitioner first to minimize the load on the doctors.

Finally frequent visits to emergency centers continue to plague the hospitals, since patients are using this avenue to get needed immediate non-emergency care.

That is the future for New Jersey. Until we get the government out of health care and put the patient and the doctor negotiating with each other, it will continue to spiral out of control.

Arne A. Kellstrom

MORRISTOWN

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'Romneycare' lessons not promising

In 2006 Massachusetts passed a health care bill (AKA 'Romneycare'), which later became the model for the nation's Affordable Care Act (AKA 'Obamacare'). After seven years the official reports of the

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